How to beat the cyberbullies

From happy-slapping to online stalking

By Jonny Evans | 12 January 08

Violence among teenagers may be grabbing the headlines, but for many concerned with child protection it's virtual aggression that's the biggest emerging threat.

Cyberbullies use mobile phones or emails to send sexist, homophobic and racist messages, or they attack other differences - from physical and mental disabilities to victims' cultural or religious background, appearance, wealth or class. In some cases, bullies physically assault other children, then post images of fights online or distribute video recordings using text messages.

Caroline Cockerill, Symantec's internet safety advocate, is well aware of the problem. "Cyberbullies tend to use the same tactics as they do in the offline world," she says. "They torment other kids from a distance using email, websites, online games, instant messaging, blogs and community sites such as MySpace and chatrooms. Online taunts sting just like they do offline, but internet bullies can stay anonymous more easily."

The impact of cyberbullying on children can be huge. One pupil explains: "No one understood what I was going through. I didn't know who was sending me these messages and I felt powerless to know what to do."

There's no doubt that cyberbullying can be devastating, Cockerill observes. "Some bullies harass targets with a barrage of instant messages: 'Everyone hates you' or 'You're a loser'," she says. "Others create websites that mock others, impersonate their targets to post fake dating adverts or hack into their email accounts."

And it's not just children who get bullied. Teachers suffer too. "Students put a horrendous accusation about me on their website," one teacher told us. "Within hours it seemed that the whole school had read this message."

Educators have years of experience to call on when handling violent bullying, but social networks, the internet and mobile phones are harder to police. Because they're relatively new manifestations, there’s little available information to help teachers cope.

So what can be done to detect, monitor and act against the cyberbullies?

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Comments

pablothehat said: Dear JonnyI have experienced this sort of attack over the net which was at such a level that I informed the police and took my pc to the Serious Crime Forensic Labs myselfThe resultNothingDont believe all the hype The police are too snowed under underfunded and lack the quality of staff to really tackle cyberbulling and online criminal activitiesThese are only a high profile topics in the media

Miriam Kalman said: Dear JonnySince its practically impossible to monitor or punish Cyber bullying criminals wouldnt it be wiser to immune Internet user against them As Caroline Cockerill Symantecs internet safety advocate says Cyberbullies tend to use the same tactics as they do in the offline world If we can teach kids how to deal with cyber bulling they will not be victims of either off or on line bullying I would like to suggest a resource teaching how to deal with cyber bullying and any other bullying Since I cant include a link please contact me for the resource wwwbullies2buddiescomMy email address is miriambullies2buddiescom